Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

19 reviews

siobhankeira's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, and Death of parent

shaesensual's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I want to say first that I’m reading this series after having read Briar U and I just know this series is all going to feel like a fun flashback to the characters I have already seen in glimpses! I loved loved loved Garrett and Hannah and seeing this story be the foundation of their future in Briar U is sooooo fun. For a romance book with some of the darkest themes I have read to date, it might have also been the most fun! Garrett is such a lovable character all the way throughout, by respecting Hannah’s intelligence, gaining her trust, and being appropriately persistent (stubborn!). This might also be the most authentic development of sparks between characters I have ever seen…their first sleepover night is SO realistic for realizing you are truly comfortable with somebody’s company. The moment where this gets referenced again later in the book seriously brought me to tears because of how true their ease is with each other. I cannot compliment this book enough! So serious, but so fun. 

Let’s not forget the spice because…wowow. Hannah’s sexual trauma is such a well handled topic and Garrett’s efforts are so sincere…and HOT. Their chemistry is intense and seeing their sexual tension develop in baby steps was so fun and flirty!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

macwiththemic's review against another edition

emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

*spoilers!*

I did not enjoy the majority of this book. Giving it two stars because I liked the two main characters and found their backstories interesting, but how was this book published in 2023 and didnt come with a list of trigger warnings? I honestly thought a lot of the detail they went into regarding her history with SA, and his history with domestic violence could have been more nuanced, or again a trigger warning could have been issued at the beginning of this book. Look up the trigger warnings before reading this book. They don’t just mention these things, they go into a fair amount of detail. 

ALSO: maybe this is just a result of her trauma, but Hannah slut shames so much in this book. Little to NO personal growth other than “oh yay he’s helped me enjoy sex again” happens to make her realize that maybe she shouldn’t call people who enjoy casual sex sluts???? Like Jesus Hannah. 

On a less serious note, did this author or NONE of the editors ever play music? No wonder they didn’t really dive deep into Hannah’s studies or performances or rehearsals. Some of the things they say regarding the music she is rehearsing are just incorrect. Not that this is a super serious issue where you’d need to be an EXPERT on music to write about it or enjoy her story, but like come on. I mean I’m not an expert on hockey but let me tell you I don’t read this book for the hockey if you know what I mean. 


2 stars because I appreciate the depth given to these characters even if I think the lack of trigger warning is ridiculous given the subject matter and detail in some of these chapters. I did read this on my kindle so maybe in other versions there are trigger warnings? 

Idk if I’ll read another book in this series. Who am I kidding I probably will. Thank god these are on kindle unlimited. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Alcohol

nagisasigh's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

listen, the writing wasn't good and it was incredibly predictable. that being said, it was cute and im giving an extra star for the hillary duff style locker room barge in.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

readbykatherine's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

vj_thompson's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Drug use, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Blood

lilyyyy_b's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

one character (Hannah) was raped and doesnt like drinking in public as doesnt trust she wont get raped again. the other main character (Garrett) looks after her drinks to make sure shes ok. she went to therapy afterwards, also sees someone who testified against her saying shed given consent.

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I struggled a bit with some of the more toxic masculinity but I did really like the characters and the plot developments. There were just some lines that gave me the ick a bit. But it was a quick read and I enjoyed it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Mental illness, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail

Drugging, fights

annadelreads's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“And the most important lesson I learned is that I’m not a victim—I’m a survivor.” 

I had so much fun listening to this audiobook to the point that I listened to it for the whole afternoon after listening for it a bit the night before. The main characters are so loveable, I adore them and wish every happiness for them. It's my first time in a long while to have read a book that involves a sport. I love how in the middle of reading this, I remember the last sports/hockey book I read - The Love Story by Erich Segal which was pretty long time ago, maybe a decade already. And I remember how much I loved it and how much I love this. So I guess there is something about hockey players that makes a great romance book, eh? Anyways, I love it so I can see where the hype is because I RODE IT happily. 

Story-wise, it's actually something that I wanted to know what happened afterwards because I sat in front of my PC for hours just so I would know what would happen afterwards. I love how they started + how they got together + how they had their happily ever after. I love the antagonist too since you really have to hate on him for what he'd done on both MCs. I love their bickering too! I think that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to stick around and just get to know their story. Garrett is the type of guy anyone would love to have as their partner. Not just because he's handsome and has great pecs but because he is honest and someone who would never betray your trust. He's someone who gives and does not mind not getting anything in return because he just wants you to be happy and nothing else. Hannah, on the other hand, is someone who's been through so much and in her words, broken. But that didn’t distract her for being herself. I find her brave for being so strong all those times and braver for asking someone’s else in overcoming her traumas. Thank you, Garrett, for being such a responsible boy for taking care of Hannah.  

Where was this when I was in college so I’ll be motivated to find myself an athlete? (Edited: wait what? This was a 2015 book? Why was it only now popularized?????) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse and Physical abuse

Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, and Death of parent

missgarceau's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I think if a book is going to contain details of SA/Domestic Abuse & Mental Health Disorders- an author TW forward would be appreciated.

This is a “pool book” & maybe 2/5 spice or about medium spice.

It’s about what you’d expect for a college sports romance. It’s was a quick read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment